Toronto FC advance to Concacaf Champions League Semi-Final

2017 Canadian Championship winners Toronto FC earned their place in the Semi-Final round of the Concacaf Champions League on away goals falling 2:3 in the second leg but earning the aggregate victory 4:4 over Tigres UANL in Monterrey, MX through two away goals. Toronto will play the winner of the Quarterfinal matchup between Mexico’s Club América and Panama’s Tauro.

After a scoreless first half, Toronto broke through in the 64’ as Canadian International and first leg hero Jonathan Osorio combined with Sebastian Giovinco whose ball came off a Tigres defender for an own goal. Tigres were able to equalize minutes later, but, 2017 George Gross trophy winner Giovinco scored on a FK in the 73’. After a late equalizer from Tigres, Toronto were called for a handball PK that allowed Tigures to earn the second leg victory, however, Toronto FC secured their second-ever Semi-Final berth.

Toronto FC earned Canada’s sole spot in 2018 CONCACF Champions League by defeating Montréal Impact in the 2017 Canadian Championship. It marked Toronto's sixth Canadian title and fifth qualification to CONCACAF Champions League. Since the debut of both competitions in 2008, three Canadian winners have reached the Quarter-final stage or further in CONCACAF Champions League: Toronto FC once (Semi-finals in 2011-12), Montréal twice (Quarter-finals in 2008-09 and Grand Final in 2014-15), and Vancouver Whitecaps FC once (Semi-finals in 2016-17).

From 16 finalists in 2018 CONCACAF Champions League, only the CONCACAF winner will advance to the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates from 12 to 22 December.